‘Smile’ Cast Members Kyle Gallner and Judy Reyes Talk About Sleepless Nights and Fun-Filled Frights
A common occurrence with films released this year, especially within the horror bracket is through word of mouth. Everything Everywhere All At Once, RRR, Terrifier 2, and Barbarian - all these films would not have reached their audience impact if it were not for their enthusiasm, and thus caused a major influx of revenue at the box office. Some of the biggest entertainment news from this past year has been the overwhelming success of small-budgeted feature film titles (horror or coming from any genre). With this comes the idea of audience interest of comfortability of watching films in a theater. However, a film nobody saw coming that would end up being a success is the Paramount horror film, Smile.
Smile comes from director Parker Finn and tells the story of a clinical therapist (Sosie Bacon) experiencing a strange phenomenon of people smiling and thus causing mass casualties. The film stars Sosie Bacon, Kal Penn, Jessie T. Usher, Judy Reyes and Kyle Gallner. The film sparked interest not only through its non-sensical story but through its marketing campaign of mysterious figures smiling as they do in the film during large public events such as a broadcast on The Today Show and during a series of Yankees broadcasts.
FilmSpeak horror contributor, John Bizub had the fortune of talking with cast members Kyle Gallner and Judy Reyes about the film, as well as their introduction and love for moviemaking, horror films, and especially the community that surrounds the genre. Gallner has previously had experience with the recent Scream film and the cult favorite Jennifer’s Body and discusses the nature of accessibility within the horror genre. We live in an age of horror where filmmakers and studios pick two lanes of exposing audiences to genre fares while also delving into slow-burn thrillers with more abstract imagery and personal themes and both Gallner and Reyes discuss the almost “loving” nature of the horror community accepts those kinds of changes.
Galler specifically touches upon horror and the theatrical experience post-pandemic, and how to reach audiences to go to the theater rather than stay at home and stream a film on the exuberant amount of streaming services. While Reyes has mostly been shown on television shows like Scrubs and Devious Maids, she loved watching director Parker Finn have complete creative freedom on the direction for her character and the horrors that went into her character to make a big impact in a short amount of time.
Smile is in theatres worldwide, and now grinning on Paramount+
Check out the full interviews with the cast of SMILE, below!
